Second AR, first build.

So after the election I decided to go ahead and buy myself a lower to build me another AR. I am employed at my LGS and got a good deal so there was no reason for me not to go ahead and pick the lower up. At the same time I went ahead and purchased the double star LPK we had.. Future plans are a CMC trigger anyhow. The lower is a Mega, with the magpul MOE+ grip.

Sounds like a fine build, gotta love the BCM components and the Aimpoint Micro T1. The H1 will save you $50 or so if you'll never use the night vision device with the RDS.

The Spikes ST-T2 wouldn't be a first choice of mine but I know why you're going with it. With that upper it's hard to decide whether to go with an H or H2 buffer and the ST-T2 weight falls nicely in between. But solid weights are the way to go. I have a BCM 16" midlength plus BCM BCG and have run both their H and H2 buffer successfully, even with cheap steelcase. Currently I'm running the H because the H2 is in a similar Daniel Defense midlength but I think I'll get another H2.

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The biggest issue with assembling an AR isn't so much getting the parts together right - it's getting the right parts together.
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US Army 1966-69, VFW Life Member, Retired Geek

Sounds like a fine build, gotta love the BCM components and the Aimpoint Micro T1. The H1 will save you $50 or so if you'll never use the night vision device with the RDS.

The Spikes ST-T2 wouldn't be a first choice of mine but I know why you're going with it. With that upper it's hard to decide whether to go with an H or H2 buffer and the ST-T2 weight falls nicely in between. But solid weights are the way to go. I have a BCM 16" midlength plus BCM BCG and have run both their H and H2 buffer successfully, even with cheap steelcase. Currently I'm running the H because the H2 is in a similar Daniel Defense midlength but I think I'll get another H2.

Yeah I looked at the H1, but decided for an extra 50 bucks might as well spend it just incase I ever did get my hands on some NV equipment. On the buffer, yes I figured I'd just settle right in the middle, plus it looks cool too lol. Also, I don't have any experience with nickel boron coated BCG's... Are they worth it? From what I understand its not necessarily an "upgrade" from milspec.

I don't think the NiB BCGs are worth it. Some don't even start with a milspec M16 BCG. You're making a wise choice going with the phosphated BCM.

Have you been following the BCG Hot Potato thread? Might want to keep an eye on it, a bunch of guys are going to test a Black Rain coated BCG.

__________________
______
The biggest issue with assembling an AR isn't so much getting the parts together right - it's getting the right parts together.
________________________________________
US Army 1966-69, VFW Life Member, Retired Geek

Sounds like a fine build, gotta love the BCM components and the Aimpoint Micro T1. The H1 will save you $50 or so if you'll never use the night vision device with the RDS.

The Spikes ST-T2 wouldn't be a first choice of mine but I know why you're going with it. With that upper it's hard to decide whether to go with an H or H2 buffer and the ST-T2 weight falls nicely in between. But solid weights are the way to go. I have a BCM 16" midlength plus BCM BCG and have run both their H and H2 buffer successfully, even with cheap steelcase. Currently I'm running the H because the H2 is in a similar Daniel Defense midlength but I think I'll get another H2.

Hey Quentin just curious why solid weights are the way to go? I don't have much experience but I like the way the Spikes ST-T2 buffer feels/sounds (in my BCM 16" middy) smooth compared to a standard H buffer where I could hear and feel the weights rattling back and forth. I didn't notice any difference in cycling performance either. Is there another reason why the solid weights are preferred over the tungsten powder?

Unlike solid weights, powder weight doesn't give a second impact as the bolt chambers a fresh cartridge. There are slow motion videos on YouTube that show how the bolt bounces after chambering using powder buffers and how that is canceled by the second impact of proper solid weights. This is a design feature of the M16/M4 and of course matters much more for automatic fire but still could cause a slightly out of battery experience.

Anyway that buffer rattle is a good thing - it's the way the rifle should operate.

__________________
______
The biggest issue with assembling an AR isn't so much getting the parts together right - it's getting the right parts together.
________________________________________
US Army 1966-69, VFW Life Member, Retired Geek